Number plate for vehicles



May 8, 1928.

W. E. FINDLATER NUMBER PLATE FOR VEHICLES Filed Dec. 15. 1925 v?) la Ali S mlws 4 Patented May 8, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT'OFFVICE.

NUMBERPLATE FOR VEHICLES.

pplloation filed December 15, 1923. Serial No. 680,796.

This invention relates to number plates for vehicles. Y

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby the numerals will be more conspicuous b night, and for this purpose, we combine t e number plate with the tail light. l

According to this invention, the front member of the casing is` perforated, or perforated numerals are provided of a size and shape to conform with the motor registra tion act. The numerals are perforated so that the light in the compartment will shine through the perforations to render the nu- 16 merels distinguishable by night; the latter means are shown in the drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the invention, partly. broken away.

Fi'gure 2 is a sectional View of a different form of the invention from that shown in Fi ure 1.

igure 3 is an enlarged sectional View of part of the front member of the casing, as shown in Fi re 2 showing means of fixinthe numera thereto.

` i re` 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectiona view of the form of invention shown in Figure 1. v p

The casin includes a perforated front member 1; t s front is fashioned preferably in the manner illustrated, having a curved top 2; the front 1 is supplied with a' flange 3, rojecting from its inner surface, which em races a portion of the casing, formin'g a front therewith. The casing comprises a back 4, top 2, sides 5 and 6, and bottom 7; the top of the casing is preferably deeper than the bottom to assist refiection.

The front and the casing members are secured to each other, there bein boss members 8 with threaded holes therein; the said,

bosses project inwardly from the inner surface of the front to register with set screws 9 whose heads 10 project to the outside of the back.

There is a threaded aperture in the front, preferably above the perforated numerals, the said aperture is adapted to register with a socket member 11 housing the redv coloured glass disc 12; the socket 11 is fashioned with a shoulder forming a surface 13 with which the red glass disc 12 faces, the said glass being maintained in the vfaced position by a spring member 14, which is adapted to house in a groove 15 under its own influence. The socket 11 is further fashioned in the form of a reflector, the inner surface 16, with its greater diameter to the outside, is finished .bright to intensify the light.

Means are provided to suitabl mount the perforated numeral plates 17 liavin'g per forations 17 therein on the front member 1, which is also provided with perforat-ions haligned with the perforations in the numeral plate and of sufficient length so that when they butt, as indicated at 20, the right pitch or distance between the numerals is maintained.

"A detachable snib 21 or such similar means are provided to secure the numerals to the Vface of the front member 1 so that in the event of a change in the ownership of the vehicle and new numerals bein required, this can be done without destro lng the oasing.v In the method illustrate in Figures 1 2 and 3, suitable plugs can be supplied to close the existing perforations in the front member 1 if a change is desired; or a plate 22, as indicated in Figure 4, may be supplied with the new numerals, said plate 22 having perforations` 22 therein, corresponding to those in the numerals 17, so that said perforations will align when the plate and numerals are properlyr positioned. Thus with the perforations 1n the numeral plate 17 aligned with perforations in the plate 22, lit will be obvious that light from the interior of the casing will be reflected in said aligned perforations and will thus clearly define the numbers represented by said plates 17. In that case, the plate 22 would have means to readily attach and detach the said number plate, said means consisting of a snib 21 having its ends 24 engaging ribs 25 cast to the interior surface of the front c lio correspondingl beveled edges of t e ribs 25 l of the front p ate.

In addition to the perforated numerals 17 I giving indication of the registered number of the vehicle, other perforated signsmay be added, as indicated in Fi ure l; for example, Stop in theievent o desiring to signal to a followinr car or vehicle that you intend to stop, indication thereof can be signalled through this medium, controlled by bowden (as indicated at 28) or other suitable control operated from the dash, or somewhere adjacent to the driver.

Normally the perforations 29 indicating the word Stop would be covered by a pivotally mounted spring controlled flap 30. There is a lug 31 projecting therefrom, to which one end of the Bowden wire 28 is attached, land between the said lug 8l and the top 2 of the casing, there is a spring 32, normally holding the flap against the surface of the front member covering the peristers with the red glass disc mounting, and

is attached by a flange member 36 and jamb nut 37 with the necessary washers to ensure the joint being watertight or damp proof.

What I claim as new and desire t0 secure by Letters Patent is In a signalling device of the character described, a casing, a front plate for said casing detachably secured thereto and having an o ening surrounded u on the inner face of t 1e plate with inwar ly projecting and spaced flanges, a perforated plate mounted Within said opening and having a longitudinal slot,l a plurality of number plates each having perforations adapted t;

aline with the perforations in the last name#- plate, and further havin transverse ribs eX- tending on opposite si es thereof and engageable in said slot with the ends of the ribs of each number late in abutting relation with the ends o the ribs of the next adjacent number plates to retain said number plates in definitely spaced relation, a snib for each number plate having its end portions engaged with both of said flanges and its intermediate portion with the inner face of said perforated plate, and a screw extending through said snib and into the rib of the adjacent number plate to secure the latter against said erforated plate.

In testimony whereof) I have hereunto set my hand.

uWALTER EARNEST FINDLATER. 

